spirit of norm smith
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Everything posted by spirit of norm smith
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Fox Footy Analysis - ambivalence… From a rest point-of-view, there isn’t a plethora to be concerned about at Melbourne, with one five-day break and one nine-day break in the first half of their season. Match-up wise however, they look to have struck gold if 2024 results are anything to go by. They’ll play all of North Melbourne, Gold Coast, St Kilda and West Coast twice, who they will back themselves in to give a good run for their money each outing. The main downside of note? The Demons intriguingly play three away games in a row, with a bye in between to break them up. As a result, they won’t play in Melbourne between Rounds 14 and 17. The Demons look winners from the fixture release, but how much will that time outside of Victoria run them down? Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 2nd-easiest Grade: A- -
It’s not a draw or a fixture… it’s a collusion of AFL scheduling. The AI would have 250 lines of predetermined code by the AFL. All the must have games and blockbusters and manipulation. That’s it’s, let’s call it the “AFL MANIPULATION “
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Non aligned clubs - $220,000!!! So with about 33-34 on their list, it’s $6500 per player for the season. That’s unbelievable. No way for example that ex AFL player like say Jack Bytel signs at Coburg when SANFL, WAFL & bigger suburban /country clubs can offer up to $5000 per game !!
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Why are players leaving Casey? White, Hustwaite, Connolly, Valentine, Steele, Szybkowski. All departed (and after the big loss of Munro at the end of 2023) . is it the lack of club identity? What is Casey as a club? Springvale Football Club (1903–2005) Casey Scorpions (2006–2016). Casey Demons (2017-present) I think they have tried to identify with the Springvale past, but unsure whether that’s been effective. Only other AFL aligned clubs are Box Hill Hawks & Sandringham Zebras. At least Sandringham has a direct Coates league alignment and kept its identity. The remaining VFL Clubs are either AFL reserves teams or standalone clubs. is it the lack of opportunity and constant shifting in and out of being included. Casey needs a squad of players to supplement the AFL players (depth & development) Currently from last season, in my view, from the remaining squad, only Neocleous, Edwards, Cross, Windsor (Kai) and Freeman are at good player level at VFL standards. I hope these 5 players stay and get good game time in 2025. Casey needs to add 5-6 Coates League youngsters and ADD ex AFL listed players like Gary Rohan, Jai Culley & Cooper Vickery . Casey needs to be strong club and have a squad of players to supplement the AFL MFC list.
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Another departure from the Casey ship. Mitch Szybkowski is leaving Casey and will join the GWS VFL program in 2025. He showed promise in his 12 games for Casey Demons in 2024. Another player to leave …
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Some analysis on Finn O'Sullivan ESPN Finn O’Sullivan Koroit/Xavier College APS/Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country MID, 182cm National Champs: 2 games, 11.5 disposals, 1.5 marks, 3.5 tackles Talent League: 4 games, 17.2 disposals, 3.0 clearances, 1.2 goals O'Sullivan was a dominant force through the u16s and as a bottom-ager, but multiple injuries have prevented his best in 2024. Recruiters know what that best looks like, though. O'Sullivan flies for marks around the ground, runs hard both ways with a bounding gait and hits the scoreboard with regularity. His question marks revolve around his ability to accumulate and win contested ball. If those areas improve at the next level, O'Sullivan will become one of the most damaging midfielders in the game. Best traits similar to: Isaac Heeney ————————————————— Kevin Sheahan AFL Finn O’Sullivan State: Victoria Country State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers Community Club: Koroit Date of Birth: 30/05/2006 Height: 182cm A classy midfielder who was one of the dominant players of his age level over the past two years. His elite use of the ball, speed and lateral movement through the midfield are outstanding weapons. Claimed the best and fairest award at the 2022 AFL National Development Championships U16 Boys and followed it up with selection in the 2023 AFL National Championships U18 Boys All Australian side as a bottom-age player. Suffered a thumb injury in his first game of the 2024 Coates Talent League season which began a frustrating run of injuries that restricted his ability to consistently put games together. Was only able to play eight games at club and representative level this year, including two games for Victoria Country at the National Championships and one with Richmond’s VFL team. The last of his matches for the Oakleigh Chargers was his most productive, having 20 disposals and kicking two goals to be his team’s best player in its four-point preliminary final defeat to the GWV Rebels. Tested impressively at the Draft Combine, with his time of 8.14 seconds on the agility test ranked eighth, while he also produced eye-catching performances in the 20m sprint (2.99 seconds) and 2km time trial (6:28). Weapon: Step through traffic and ball-winning ability AFL player comparison: Chad Warner ———————————————- Finn O’Sullivan came into 2024 as the consensus leading prospect and maintains that status in the eyes of some despite a top-age campaign decimated by injury. The midfielder burst onto the scene in 2022 where he was awarded the Kevin Sheehan Medal as Division 1 MVP at the Under 16 National Championships. A boarder at Xavier College, the Koroit native would have been part of Greater Western Victoria’s region but instead linked with Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League. O’Sullivan made his debut last year, playing eight games and backing up his Under 16 All-Australian selection with the same honour as an All Australian Under 18 team, as a bottom-ager. O’Sullivan was also selected in the 2023 CTL Team of the Year. A hip complaint during preseason halted his progress, before he injured his thumb in Round 1 and went on to miss Vic Country’s opening championship games after undergoing finger surgery. He was then managed throughout the rest of the season, but finished strongly. Part of his audition for pick one recognition came in Richmond’s VFL side. O’Sullivan made his state league debut in Round 20, collecting 12 disposals and kicking two goals. He excelled off the field too, achieving top 10 results in the National Draft Combine’s running vertical jump (second, 93cm) and agility test (eighth, 8.136 seconds). ————————————————-
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Then it’s LANGFORD!!! Surely !!!!
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Tauru. Prefer to get him at 9 (like an elite midfielder at 5) Marketing team would love Tauru “here comes the Demons on the G”… Viking horns roaring !!! Tauruuuuuuuuu
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O’Sullivan could go at 1 or anywhere down to 6. He’s a star though. Lots of AFL qualities. If it’s a choice of Smith, O’Sullivan or Langford. it’s like choosing between a BMW, a Porsche and a Mercedes. Any choice would be excellent !!!
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Agree. That’s a fair player comparison for Jagga !!
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It would be a very very tough decision to make. It seems likely though it might come down to the Dees having to make the call. Either Smith or Langford would be an excellent choice. Both have many AFL qualities. Smith is a definitely a classy player. Smart. Skilled. Footy IQ. However I’m leaning towards Langford given he is more versatile and perhaps more seen as ready to go. Physically can play midfield or (with his extra height and marking) he can drift forward or indeed play even across half back. I did like a statement made on an earlier post. With 5 & 9 “from a Demons point of view (my club) - any two of Lalor, Draper, Langford, Smith, O'Sullivan, Travaglia, Shanahan, Allan, Reid or Hotton I would be happy with”. It sums up the depth of talent and the many different pick options and choices for JT. In JT we trust.
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On repeat cycle … I’m looking at 5 Langford but if Langford was gone and O’Sullivan was available, it would be still be a good outcome for the Dees !! 9 Travaglia but if TT was gone, then look at Allan, Reid or Lindsay Top 20 players in this draft are high quality. Even potential later first round picks like Hotton and Hynes are excellent selections.
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5 Langford most likely (Lalor unlikely to be available… nor is Draper.. might be able to get OSullivan ) 9 Travaglia (or Allan, Reid or Lindsay if TT is gone) 79 if the MFC wants to go with a last pick … who has a funny name … perhaps on the list is Gabriel Stumpf or Jett Hasting or Oliver Depaoli-Kubank !!
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Yes … if Travaglia is gone. Lindsay is class. Dees would love his classy disposal and he’d add “forward connection” (something we miss !!!)
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I’m looking at 5 Langford 9 Travaglia but if Langford was gone and O’Sullivan was available, it would be still be a good outcome for the Dees !!
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If if if …Lalor then Tauru as 1,2 and Ashcroft as father son to Lions. Draper potentially going to the Blues … ouch. That might see Crows grab Langford…ouch. So it means FOS or Smith. I’d jump at FOS. I’m seeing O’Sullivan as a very very good prospect. He’s smart. He’s classy. He’s got that elite move in space and frees his hands like Pendles to avoid tacklers. He showed during VFL upgrade that he can handle the pace and physical pressure. Sure he’s not a Bont or Dusty type. More like a short LDU. He’d would be more than welcome
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Get ready ….
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That’s a roadkill of a draw !!!
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Hawthorn to get seven primetime slots in the first 16 weeks - four Fridays and three Thursdays
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AFL is turning MFC off in any prime time timedlots. It will quickly favour the Hokball Hawks. The appeal and playing style of the Hawks captured the media, the AFL, Battle & Barrass. Time to re-energise our playing style.
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Dees have room for 3 senior list additions. I think Dees will use 5,9 and potentially add 5th round draft pick OR save for a train on player to be added under the SSP.
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It’s ridiculous… “unbelievable” is an understatement!!! Not to be even in the 42 named squad. Highest rated forward in AFL Fantasy with 85 average. In AFL website AA team as a Half Forward. Strong stats across disposals, goals, tackles and clearances for a forward. Her impact was huge. Clearly the selection panel didn’t see many Dees games !!!
